Proficiency in reading, quantitative skills, and written/oral expression are essential for professional success and effective citizenship. The courses in fundamental academic skills are designed to provide the foundation for advanced academic study.
Fundamental academic skills comprise 15 hours of the general education requirements. To fulfill the fundamental academic skills requirements, students must complete coursework in:
English & Writing (9 credit hours)
Quantitative Literacy (3 credit hours)
Public Speaking (3 credit hours)
English & Writing
The work of the university is to construct and share knowledge. Because this work is done largely by means of the written word, it is important for students to gain control over written language. Proficiency in reading, research, and written expression is essential for professional success and effective citizenship.
The foundational writing courses (Composition I and Composition II) provide instruction in general academic literacy while advanced writing and writing-intensive courses, preferably taken in the student's major, introduce research and language practices specific to the disciplines.
Students must complete nine hours of coursework in the English & Writing category. The nine credit hours include English 1150 and English 1160 (students may test out of one or both courses), and one additional advanced writing course or equivalent set of writing-intensive courses. The advanced or writing-intensive courses are determined by the academic program.
View the Student Learning Outcomes and a list of courses that have been approved for inclusion in the English & Writing curriculum.
Quantitative Literacy
Quantitative Literacy involves using mathematical, computational, or statistical methods, with significant applications across a wide variety of disciplines. It emphasizes the process of formulating, solving, interpreting, and applying equations of different types to solve many different real-world problems.
Students must complete three hours of coursework in this category.
View the Student Learning Outcomes and a list of courses that have been approved for inclusion in the Quantitative Literacy curriculum.
Public Speaking
The goal of the public speaking requirement is to help students acquire the knowledge and skills needed for effective oral communication in their academic career or community life.
Students must complete three hours of coursework in this category.
View the Student Learning Outcomes and a list of courses that have been approved for inclusion in the Public Speaking curriculum.